| Unemployment and lay-offs are at an all-time high. To | | | | players, wine tasters, game players, writers, readers, |
| help stimulate the economy jobs are being created to | | | | house cleaners, home-based internet businesses, etc |
| assist veterans, unemployed workers, those in | | | | are not included. All of which make-up a productive |
| transition, and our youth. The responsibility to train this | | | | workforce. The difference is many small business |
| workforce has been passed to the Regional | | | | people earn income doing what they are good at and |
| Workforce Development Boards who in turn have | | | | enjoy doing. |
| partnerships with community-based agencies, higher | | | | There is a solution |
| educational institutions, and vocational schools to | | | | There is a solution that meets the needs of the |
| provide job training in perceived occupational skills. | | | | changing work-place/force and both the individual and |
| However, if you are one of the many experienced | | | | employer. Gene Hodge, provides job-training |
| workers with several years of proven work | | | | programs and workshops that uses an innovative |
| experience, I wonder is there really job training available | | | | methodology based on what the individual enjoys doing |
| for you? If you are a high school or college graduate, Is | | | | and ‘age-based performance’. |
| there really job training available for you? Meaning: | | | | Unlike employment agencies and workforce |
| your skills, abilities, enjoyments, interests or experience. | | | | organizations, his training focuses on the individual. |
| The reason for this question is because: | | | | Gene helps those in transition recognize career |
| - The job-training programs are already pre-designed | | | | opportunities by focusing on your age, experience, skills, |
| - The number of training programs offered are limited | | | | abilities, passion, interests, and computer technology; |
| to perceived occupational skills | | | | and matches that with the vast number of jobs that |
| - Applicants can only choose what job-training | | | | have the need for the same skills and abilities. |
| programs are available | | | | Employers have gained better workers that enjoy their |
| - The applicant cannot choose what they like to do | | | | work because individuals have found not just a job but |
| - Most of the training offered is for the entry level | | | | rather “enjoyable employment.” Gene says, |
| worker | | | | “We all know what we are good at and enjoy |
| I also wonder where is the ‘Innovation’ in job | | | | doing. We just do not know what job-title to put on |
| training because for at least the past fifteen years, | | | | it”. |
| computer technologies have altered the way work is | | | | Ways to recognize what you are good at doing and |
| performed. Yet traditional approaches to job training | | | | enjoy! |
| have remained the same, leaving employers | | | | - Listen to what other people tell you, you are good at |
| desperately seeking skilled workers or people who | | | | doing. |
| want to work. | | | | - Recognize what you enjoy doing in your current and |
| While few jobs in the trained discipline are obtained, in | | | | past jobs |
| many cases for the applicant, there is no job available | | | | - Recognize what you find yourself doing when you |
| for training received, only a certificate and another | | | | are not working |
| training program. | | | | Discard ‘ myths’ about job seeking |
| Richard H, a computer repair specialist went through | | | | - There is job training available for you |
| one such training agency to become a Computer | | | | - There is such thing as ‘the employer’ |
| Analyst. He spent over two years in a program, | | | | - You have had jobs. |
| received a CCNA certificate, and even with a college | | | | - You should be good at everything |
| degree, vocational rehabilitation and workforce | | | | Tips for finding the right job |
| placement specialists were not able to find or place | | | | - Always describe your job responsibilities for all past |
| him in a job. | | | | jobs |
| In today’s economy, most large companies are | | | | - Write down what you are good at doing from past |
| laying-off workers or have a freeze on hiring. Small | | | | jobs |
| businesses drive the economy and due to the large | | | | - Write down what you are just good at doing and |
| amount of layoffs, many small businesses are | | | | what you enjoy doing |
| emerging. While some of these small businesses are | | | | - Only focus on job descriptions that have those |
| listed in the occupational skills grouping, many small | | | | words |
| businesses that hire artists, singers, radio announcers, | | | | Eugene Hodge is an independent training consultant |
| landscapers, interior decorators, fishing, skiing, computer | | | | that provides solution-based personal development and |
| analysts, computer graphic designers, comedians, card | | | | career transition workshops and seminars. |